Letter cards and clamp bars for constructing signs, and method of assembling same

ABSTRACT

A building set for the assembly of text signs comprising one or several text lines comprises letter cards of a sufficient number and marking to form any desired text and a number of clamping rods for framing text lines along all four sides of the signs and between consecutive lines of the same. The clamping rods are formed as profiled rods symmetrical with respect to a medial longitudinal plane and provide one clamping gap on each side of the symmetry plane, the clamping gaps opening in opposite directions so that two successive text lines may be joined by means of one such clamping rod. Locking means are provided to connect the frame members formed by the clamping rods to hold the sign assembled, and suspension and mounting means are provided to support both separate signs and a number of signs placed one above the other or back to back. The method involves the assembling of the text signs by the use of an assembling board.

Elite States Patent [1 1 emgren [451 Aug. 21, 1973 LETTER CARDS AND CLAMP BARS FOR CONSTRUCTING SIGNS, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME [21] Appl. No.: 166,424

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 10, 1970 Sweden ..l0924/70 Nov. 26, 1970 Sweden ..16031/70 Nov. 26, 1970 Sweden ..I6032/70 Nov. 26, 1970 Sweden..., ..l6033/70 [52] US. Cl 40/128, 29/464, 29/525, 40/11 R, 40/64 R, 40/140 [51] Int, Cl. G09f 7/08 [58] Field of Search 40/140, 128, 64 R, 40/11 R, 10 R; 29/464, 525

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,403,669 1/1922 Chouinard 40/140 UX 2,742,690 4/1956 Kunkel 29/525 X 2,872,729 2/1959 Logmann et al.... 29/525 X 2,976,634 3/1961 Ashley 40/140 X 3,154,870 11/1964 l-Iopp et a]. 40/140 X 3,208,170 9/1965 Madey 40/140 X 3,243,180 3/1966 Van Ryn 29/464 X 1,418,144 5/1922 Fetters 40/128 1,583,720 5/1926 Jacobs 40/64 R 3,606,507 9/1971 Williams 40/10 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 835 1/1887 Great Britain 40/11 R Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Attorney-McGlew & Tuttle [5 7] ABSTRACT A building set for the assembly of text signs comprising one or several text lines comprises letter cards of a sufficient number and marking to form any desired text and a number of clamping rods for framing text lines along'all four sides of the signs and between consecutive lines of the same. The clamping rods are formed as members formed by the clamping rods to hold the sign assembled, and suspension and mounting means are provided to support both separate signs and a number of signs placed one above the other or back to back. The method involves the assembling of the text signs by the use of an assembling board.

15 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented Aug.-21, 1973 3,753,306

2 Sheath-Sheet Flea FIGJO FIG.11 g

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a method to assemble a sign, containing at least one text line, especially store signs for temporary use, by which method loose letter cards corresponding to the desired text line are chosen and arranged in a frame structure for exhibiting in hanging or supported position.

Text signs for temporary use are known which are assembled from letter cards inserted in profile rods or frame sections from the ends thereof. The assembly method involves that the loose letter cards one by one shall be inserted into the profile rods and be displaced along same. When a part of the text is to be changed, all preceding and following letter cards must be removed, before a desired alteration can be performed, and then be reinserted oneby one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main purpose of the invention is to provide a method for assembly of a text sign, by which method said assembly becomes simpler, faster and more handy.

According to the invention this purpose is achieved by means of the following steps:

the letter cards chosen to form the desired text line are placed in juxtaposed position on an assembly board;

an elongated clamping rod of a special profile and appropriate length is placed in a groove in the assembling board along one longitudinal edge of said text line, the groove having such a depth that a longitudinal clamping gap of said clamping rod is level with the edges of said letter cards;

the letter cards and clamping rod are displaced towards each other at substantially right angles to the longitudinal extension of said profile, so that said letter cards are inserted through the clamping gap of said clamping rod and are retained by said rod, forming a frame side;

and the clamping profile with said letter cards is lifted from said assembly board. The opposite edges of said letter cards can be inserted in the clamping gap of another clamping rod while still resting on said assembling board.

The letter cards (number cards are of course also used) are preferably placed right side up to each other on the assembling board, so that the text and the price statements etc. of the text line thus formed easily can be checked. When changes are to be made, only the incorrect letter card or cards need be substituted and the remaining letter cards do not require any rearrangement. When the text is completed, the letter cards are simultaneously pushed down into the clamping gap of the clamping rod and the clamping rod holds the letter cards together in the form of a complete text line. The second clamping rod is placed along the opposite edges of said letter cards and can be used for the simultaneous displacement of same, so that the opposite edges thereof are inserted in the clamping gaps of said two clamping rods.

To provide for the assembly of signs comprising two or several text lines, each clamping rod is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, thus comprising two clamping gaps opening along the opposite longitudinal sides-of the clamping rod. A clamping rod according tothe invention thus serves as a flame element along the top edge of the first text line of along the bottom edge of the last text line of the sign or optionally as a frame element between two consecutive text lines of the sign, while clamping the letter cards of said text lines to another. Such a sign having several text lines is assembled by first assembling one text line thereof as described above and thereafter adding the other text lines thereto at the top or bottom edge thereof by means of the describedrnethod.

The present invention also comprises difierent methods and means for supporting text signs as described above and the several advantages of the method and building set according to the invention will appear from the following description of one embodiment thereof under reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the assembly board;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a clamping rod according to the invention, also showing an inserted letter card and a suspension member;

FIG. 4 is a part view in section of the assembling board, showing the insertion of a letter card into the clamping gap of a clamping rod;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a text sign, the text lines thereof being framed along all four sides;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two operating suspension members according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fitting for cooperation with a suspension member according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a connecting bar according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a section view showing the connecting bar of FIG. 8 in cooperation with two clamping rods according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the connecting bar of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a comer of a text sign according to the invention, showing a connecting bar according to FIG. 8 used as a suspension member;

FIG. 12 is a plan view partly in section of a bracket designed to accomodate a connecting bar according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view of the bracket according to FIG. 12 in perspective; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the assembling board and visualizes the method of assembly according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The building set of the invention comprises the following different elements:

1. An assembling board.

2. A plurality of letter cards 3. A plurality of clamping rods.

4. Mounting means of different constructions to allow exhibition of an assembled text sign in several different ways.

The above mentioned elements comprised in the building set according to the invention will now be described in the above stated order and thereafter the method to assemble the same into a text sign and to present said text sign will be fully explained.

I. THE ASSEMBLY BOARD The assembly board 1 (FIGS. 1,2 and 14) comprises a flat bottom panel 2, supporting a plate 3 which also is flat and has a smaller width than bottom panel 2. The plate 3 is arranged longitudinally of bottom panel 2 and the longitudinal edges of plate 3 are spaced from the adjacent longitudinal edges of the bottompanel 2 and parallel thereto, so that two grooves 4 and 5 are formed along the margin portions of said bottom panel 2. The bottoms of said grooves 4 and 5 are formed by the top surface of the bottom panel 2 and the inner edge walls thereof are formed by the two edges of the plate 3. The groove 4 is open upwardly and along the outer edge thereof, whereas the groove 5 is also open upwardly but has an outer end wall in the form of an edge flange 6 fastened to the edge of the bottom panel 2.

2. THE LETTER CARDS The letter cards 7 have the form of rectangular pieces of cardboard or the like, each such piece being provided with a letter, a number or a sign, suitable to be arranged to form a sentence or other information, which in the following is called a text line or a text sign when two or several lines are included. Each letter, number and sign is present in an amount sufficient to form such text lines and text signs with the desired context. The height of the letter cards is uniform, but the width thereof is dependent on of the width of the letter, number and sign thereon respectively, in accordance with the spacing of letters in common printing procedures.

3. THE CLAMPING RODS.

The clamping rods 8 of the invention consist of elongated profile members of different length to accommodate text lines of different extension.

The profile of each clamping rod 8 is preferably.symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane a-a (FIG. 3) thereof, and therefore only the portion on of said symmetry plane a-a will be described.

The clamping rod profile comprises rigid leg 9 extending over the whole length of the rod at a right angle to symmetry plane a-a and being integral with one edge of a rigid web 10, extending in said symmetry plane a-a. Another rigid leg 11 also extends the whole length of the clamping bar 8 and converges from the other edge of said web towards the outer edge of said first mentioned leg 9 in such a way that a clamping gap 12 is formed between said outer edges of said two legs 9 and 11. The width of said clamping gap 12 is somewhat smaller than the thickness of the letter cards 7.

The second leg 11 is joined to the edge of said web 10 over a portion 14 having a decreased thickness to allow elastic bending of said connecting portion 14 in order to render the second leg 11 an elastic leg swingable away from the first leg 9 while elastically tensioning said connecting portion 14. The decrease of the wall thickness at said connecting portion 14 is preferably provided by aid of a part circular groove 15 arranged between said second leg 11 and said web 10.

The web 10 is furthennore provided with a flange 16 which preferably extends over the whole length of said web 10 parallel with leg 9, thus perpendicular to said symmetry plane tr- 4. The spacing between said flange l6 and the first leg 9 is substantially equal to the thickness of the letter cards 7.

The free outer edges 17, 18 of the two legs 9 and I 1, respectively, are furthermore bent away from each other to form a converging opening into said clamping gap 12 in order to facilitate the insertion of letter cards 7 into same. 7

The clamping rods 8 of the invention are preferably extruded from aluminium or an aluminium alloy and anodized and cut into suitable length. The ends of each clamping rod may be cut in a plane perpendicular to the symmetry plane a-a of the rod 8, in which case the clamping rods can be used to frame the bottom and top edges of a text line or a text sign and to separate consecutive lines of a text sign. However, the invention also contemplates text lines or signs by which all four sides are framed by clamping rods 8 of the type stated, so as to give the text line or sign a more attractive appearance.

To achieve this aim the set of clamping rods must comprise two types of clamping rods for horizontal mounting and three types of clamping rods for vertical mounting to enable assembly both of fully framed text lines and text signs. However, these five different types of clamping rods differ only in length and in the form of their ends.

A part of a fully framed text sign comprising several lines is shown in FIG. 5 and the types of clamping rods 8 necessary for the assembly of same will not be described.

The frame members for the top and bottom edges of the text sign are formed by a clamping rod 8a having a length, measured along the web 10 of the rod, corresponding to the horizontal dimension of the text lines set up by means of the letter cards 7. The ends of said clamping rods are cut in such a way that each end surface 19 of the clamping rods extends in an angle of 45 to the symmetry plane a-a of the rod, whereby the two end surfaces 19 of each rod converge inwardly to wards the text sign.

A frame member adapted to separate two consecutive lines of the text sign has the form of a clamping rod 8b having the same length, measured along the web 10 thereof, as the text lines of the sign. Each end of such a clamping rod 8b is cut in such a way that it comprises two end surfaces 20 and 21 each forming an angle of 45 with the symmetry plane a-a of said clamping rod 8b, said two end surfaces 20 and 21 converging towards each other and intersecting in said symmetry plane a-a.

A frame member adapted to frame one end of a text line between a clamping rod of type 8a and one of type 8b has the form marked SC on FIG. 5. Such a clamping rod 8c has a length, measured along the web 10 thereof, corresponding to the height of the letter cards 7. The end thereof meant to cooperate with the clamping rod 8a is cut so as to form an end surface 22 at 45 to the symmetry plane a-a of the clamping rod 8c. The opposite end of the clamping rod 80 is cut in such a way that two end surfaces 23, 24 are formed, one 23 being at 45 to the symmetry plane 0-0 of the rod 8c and the other 24 at to said plane. Each of the two end surface extends over one half of the width of said clamping rod 80 and intersects the other end surface in said symmetry plane a-a and the slanting surface 23 converges with respect to the end surface 22 at the opposite end of the clamping rod 80.

A vertical frame element adapted to frame one'end of a text line between two horizontal clamping rods of the type 8b is shown as clamping rod 8d in FIG. 5. Such a clamping rod 8d has a length equal to the height of a letter card 7 and the ends thereof are both cut in the same way as the last described end of a clamping rod of type 8c, viz. comprising two end surfaces 23, 24 one at 45 and one at 90 to the symmetry plane a-a of the rod and intersecting in said plane, whereby the slanting end surfaces 23 converge inwardly of said text sign.

By proper choice of clamping rods of the types 8a8d a text sign comprising any number of lines can be assembled, whereby each line on all four sides is framed by clamping rods 8 and said clamping rods meet each other in the form of mitre joints as is clearly shown in FIG. 5.

.To make it possible to assemble a sign containing one text line only framed on all sides by clamping rods 8 the building set according to the invention furthermore comprises at least twov clamping rods of the type 8a having a length, measured along the web 10, corre-' sponding to the height of the letter cards 7. Said two clamping rods 8a serve as vertical frame members when such a one line text sign is to be assembled.

In order to enhance the rigidity of an assembled text sign and especially to prevent the same from falling apart under the weight of the assembled elements, the invention also includes a method for locking the vertical and horizontal frame members to another. The profile of the clamping rods 8 comprises spaces 26 each defined by one leg 11, the web and one flange 16, which spaces have a cross section in the form of a right angle triangle. Spaces 26 of clamping rods of the type 8a-8d are used to accomodate locking members 25. Each such member comprises two straight legs 27 and 28 extending in right angle to each other. The cross section of each leg 27, 28 corresponds as to form and dimensions to those of spaces 26, viz. forms a right angle triangle, and is insertable in a space 26 against a frictional resistance. The hypote-noses of said legs 27, 28 are situated on the inner sides of the legs. When a locking element of this type is used the legs 27, 28 thereof are inserted in those spaces 26 of two meeting clamping rods 8, which are situated on the inside of the frame members, thus closest to the letter cards 7. The friction between the locking member legs 27, 28 and the walls of said spaces 26 resists a separation of the frame members. It is also possible to fasten the legs 28 inserted in the spaces 26 of the clamping rods 8a, 8c, 8d adapted to form vertical frame members, to these clamping rods, in which case an assembled text sign cannot unintentionally fall apart.

4. MOUNTING MEANS.

To facilitate the mounting and exhibiting of text signs according to the invention the building set therefore also contains different means for mounting and suspending said text signs.

Due to the'symmetry of the profile of the clamping rods 8 only the bottom half and the top half of the uppermost and lowermost clamping rod of a text sign are occupied by the letter cards 7 and the remaining parts can therefore beeused to support said text signs.

For this purpose the building set comprises a number of suspension elements 29. Each such suspension element comprises, a rectangular disk 30 of a thickness less than the widthof the clamping gap E2 of the clamping rods 8. Alonglone, shorter edge the disk 30 is provided with a bead 31; or the like, preferably only protruding over one side surface of said disk 30 and having a triangular configuration corresponding to the space between the legs 9 and 11 of said clamping rods 8. The disk 30 is furthermore providedwith a central opening 32 of rectangular or square form, the side edges of which extend parallel with the edges ofsaid disk 30. Finally the opposite short side of said disk 30 is provided with an extension 33 having asmaller width than said short side and being situated centrally of same. Extension 33 is bent in over the disk 30 in the form of a hook, preferably over the side surface thereof from which said bead 31 protrudes. vA hole 34 is preferably provided in said hook.

The suspension member just described is inserted in the free clamping gap 12 of the top or bottom clamping rod 8 from one end thereof in such a way that the bead 31 is accomodated in the triangular space between the legs 9, 11 of the rod and the disk 30 extends out through the clamping gap 12. The bead 31 thereby prevents separation of the suspension element from the clamping rod 8, so that the text sign can be supported by a number of suspension elements 29, inserted as described.

By means of the central opening 32 the suspension member can be hooked on ma fitting 35, for instance of the form shown in FIG. 7, having a hook-formed portion 36 for cooperation with said suspension member opening 32. Fitting 35 is furthermore provided with suitable means 37 for attachment to a wall or other such structure.

FIG. 6 shows another possibility to use the suspension members 29 described above. After the insertion of at least two such suspension members 29 in the free bottom clamping gap 12 of one text sign and a corresponding number of suspension members 29 in the free top clamping gap 12 of another text sign, the latter sign can be suspended from the former by inserting the hooks 33 of one set of suspension members 29 in the central openings 32 of the other set of suspension members 29. In this way an arbitrary number of text signs or text lines can be suspended one below the other and spaced by a gap.

The suspension members 29 may of course also be suspended on ordinary nails or hooks by means of the holes 34.

Other means for mounting or suspending text signs or lines according to the invention are shown in FIGS.

The text signs or text lines assembled by means of letter cards 7 and clamping rods 8 as described above are readable only from one side and the mounting-means shown in the above given Figures are especially intended for the purpose of mounting text signs readable from both sides. For this purpose the building set according to the invention, apart from the already described elements, furthermore comprises a number of connecting bars 38.

When two text lines of the same length or two text signs of the same length and preferably with the same number of lines are assembled by means of the letter cards 7 and the clamping rods 8 as already described,

said text lines or text signs can be placed back against back. In this position the clamping rods 8 framing the text lines or signs will contact each other along the crest line of the bent-out edges 17 of the legs 9 and a space having a rectangular cross section with rounded edges is formed between said clamping rods 8.

' Each connecting bar 38 has amedial portion 39 of a cross section having a form corresponding to the cross section of the above mentioned space but for the fact that the width of said medial portion 39 is slightly greater than the width of said space.

A crescent formed strip 40 extends along the two rounded edges of said medial portion 39 and is connected to the same by means of a short web 41 along the symmetry plane of said medial portion 39 and the centre line of the concave face of the crescent formed strip 40, so that the medial portion 39 and two strips 40 form an integral unit. Each rounded end of the medial portion 39 together with the adjacent strip 40 define two narrow grooves 42 along and in close vicinity of the edges of the connecting bar 38. The form of said grooves 42 is such that the bent out edges 17 of the two legs 9 of a clamping rod 8 are insertable in the two grooves 42 running along opposite edges of the connecting bar 38 on one side thereof.

When a connecting bar 38 is inserted in the space between two clamping rods 8 arranged back to back, each a groove 42 of said bar accomodates one of the four bent out clamping rod edges 17 and retains the clamping rods 8 in the described position.

To facilitate the insertion of the connecting bar 38 a wedge formed extension 43 is provided at least at one end thereof to guide the bar into the space between the clamping rods 8 and to force the same slightly apart.

To fulfill the connecting effect, connecting bars 38 can be comparatively short, i.e. shorter than the width thereof, and a building set according to the invention preferably comprises a sufficient number of such short connecting bars (see FIG. 8).

However, as shown in FIG. 11 connecting bars 38' having the above described cross section and a substantially greater length than the width thereof can be used as supports for text signs according to the invention. For this purpose such a longer connecting bar 38 is partly inserted into the space intermediate two horizontal clamping rods 8 and the protruding part of the connecting bar 38 is fastened in a suitable bracket. A very rigid support for two text signs according to the invention is achieved, when a connecting bar 38 is inserted between each of two pairs of horizontal clamping rods 8 and is supported by a suitable bracket. Connecting bars 38 can of course also be used to support one single text sign.

When the text sign comprises vertical frame members as shown in FIG. or 11 the bent out edge 17 of the clamping rod leg 9 must be removed from said vertical frame element within the region for the mitre joint in order not to interfere with the insertion of the connecting bar 38' as shown at 44 in FIG. 11.

A bracket suitable to support text signs of the invention by means of a connecting bar 38 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The bracket as shown comprises a substantially T-shaped body 45. Two counter-sunk bores 46 extend longitudinally through the stem 47 of said body 45 and, by means of screws 48 inserted through said bores 46, the bracket 45 can be fastened to a wall, floor, ceiling or the like in a position perpendicularly thereto. A slot 49 having a cross section suitable to accomodate a connecting bar 38 extends longitudinally through the transverse portion 50 of said body 45 and a locking screw 51 is arranged to lock said connecting bar 38 in inserted position.

Several modifications of the described means and methods for supporting text signs according to the invention should be evident for one skilled in the art.

METHOD OF ASSEMBLY When a text line or a text sign according to the invention is to be assembled by means of the assembling board 1 the letter cards 7 necessary to form the context of said line or the top line of said text sign are taken from the plurality of letter cards, whereafter said letter cards 7 are placed in the proper order and closely adjacent each other on the flat top surface of the assembling board plate 3. The width of said plate 3 corresponds to the height of the letter cards 7 minus about twice the distance from'the bent out edge 17 of the clamping rod leg 9 to the web 10 thereof.

A clamping bar 8 of suitable length is thereafter or previously placed in the groove 5 of the assembling board 1 with the edges 17 thereof abutting the edge of the plate 3 and the edge flange 6. The letter cards 7 which have been placed with the bottom edges resting on the plate 3 are thereafter simultaneously pushed towards the clamping rod 8 in the groove 5. Said groove has such a depth that the inner surface of the clamping rod leg 9 is planar with the top surface of the assembling board plate 3. The letter cards 7 will therefore be pushed in through the adjacent clamping gap 12 of the clamping rod 8 and the bottom edges of the letter cards will be accomodated in the spaces between the leg 9 and flange 16 of the clamping rod. By means of the elastic pressure from the resiliently deflectable leg 11 and the friction in the above mentioned space, the assemblage of clamping rods and letter cards will be surprisingly rigid.

The simultaneous displacement of the letter cards 7 is preferably achieved by means of a second clamping rod 8 placed in the groove 4 of the assembling board 1. The top edges of the letter cards 7 will thereby be inserted in this second clamping bar 8 in the same way as described above with reference to the clamping bar in the groove 5.

The following line of a text sign is assembled in the same manner, whereby the letter cards 7 forming the new line are pushed into position by means of the already formed line.

When desired, vertical frame members 8a, 0, and d may be applied whereby locking members 25 may be inserted in proper spaces as already described. The assembled text sign can thereafter be exhibitid by means of any of the described mounting members.

The invention as described thus provides a method to assemble text signs which is very versatile and adaptable both in respect to the assemblage as well as to the exhibition thereof, together with a building set for cartying through said method.

What I claim is:

l. A building set for assembly of a text sign, containing at least one text line, such as a shop sign for temporary use, comprising, in combination, a number of letter cards of uniform height and thickness, said number being sufficient to form a desired text; a number of elongated clamping rods of a length at least sufficient to frame each text line along at least the longitudinal edges thereof; each said clamping rod in cross section being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane, each said clamping rod, as seen in said symmetrical cross-section, comprising a web extending in said symmetry plane, first rigid legs protruding oppositely and perpendicularly from said web at one edge thereof and integral therewith, second elastic legs connected to the other edge of said web and respectively converging towards said first legs for defining a pair of clampimg gaps between the outer edges of said first and second legs of less width than the thickness of said letter cards, the web, on each side thereof, furthermore being provided with a longitudinal flange in a plane perpendicular to said symmetry plane and spaced from the adjacent one of said first legs at a distance sufficient to accommodate one edge of each letter card in a frictional gripping relation, each letter card also being elastically retained between the cooperating pair of rigid and elastic legs.

2. A building set, as claimed in claim 1, in which each letter card is a rectangular planar card having indicia on at least one surface thereof.

3. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ends of certain said clamping rods are formed by end surfaces converging towards said ends at 45 to the length of said certain rods for forming a mitre joint with a similar end of a second of said certain clamping rods; the two clamping rods forming the mitre joint framing a pair of mutually perpendicular sides of a respective text line.

4. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said clamping rods include first clamping rods having each end formed by two end surfaces extending at 45 to the length of said rods and converging towards said end and intersecting each other in the symmetry plane of said first clamping rods; said ends forming mitre joints with the adjacent ends of two second clamping rods longitudinally aligned with each other; each of said second clamping rods having their adjacent ends defined by two end surfaces converging towards their said ends and intersecting each other in the symmetry plane of said second rods, with one end su r face extending 5W5 and the other at 90 to the length of said second clamping rods; said first clamping rods separating two consecutive text lines of a text sign and said second clamping rods framing said text lines along edges thereof at right angles to said first clamping rods.

5. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including a locking member comprising a first leg and a second leg integral therewith and extending at right angles thereto, each of said locking member legs having a cross-section of a form and size to be accommodated and frictionally retained in the space of a clamping rod, defined by the web, one of said second elastic legs and one of said flanges thereof, said locking member legs being insertable in said spaces of two clamping rods meeting at right angles to each other.

6. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of said second legs is rigid in itself and connected to said second edge of said web through elastically deformable connecting means.

7. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer edges of said first and second legs are bent away from each other to form converging entrances to said clamping gaps.

8. A building set as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that one of the locking member legs is secured in said space of a clamping rod framing a vertical text line side.

9. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including a,

suspension member of rectangular, disc-like form provided with a bead along one shorter edge thereof, the disc-formed portion of said member being thinner than and the bead thereof being thicker than the width of said clamping gaps, the member furthermore comprising a central opening and a hook-formed tongue at the opposite shorter edge, said member being insertable from one end of a clamping rod with the disc-like portion in one clamping gap thereof and the bead inside of same, whereafter a text sign, the top edge of which is provided by said clamping rod, can be supported in a rigid member engaged at the central opening of said suspension member.

10. A building set as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said hook-like tongue is formed for engagement with the central opening of a similar suspension member to facilitate suspension of one text sign in the bottom clamping rod of another text sign.

11. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including suspension means comprising a rectangular bar, at least one side surface thereof being provided with grooves along two opposite edges of the bar, said grooves being mutually parallel and spaced apart slidably to accomodate the bent-out edges of said first legs of a clamping rod.

12. A buildingset as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said suspension means is provided with said grooves on two opposite side surfaces and is insertable between two clamping rods arranged back against back, while the bent-out edges of the first legs of said clamping rods are slidably accomodated in said grooves, thereby connecting said clamping rods and thus text signs formed therewith.

13. A building set as claimed in claim 12, including a bracket, characterized in that the end of said bar is releasably mountable in said bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to a support surface.

14. A method to assemble a text sign containing one text line, especially shop signs for temporary use, by which letter cards corresponding to the desired text are chosen from a set of letter cards and are arranged in a frame device for exhibition in substantially vertical position, characterized in that said chosen letter cards in proper order to form the desired text are placed in juxtaposed position on a planar surface of an assembling board with one longitudinal edge of said text line resting on said surface,

that a first clamping rod of a length appropriate for the text line is chosen from a set of such clamping rods and is placed along abovementioned longitudinal edge of the text line in a first groove of said assembling board,

that a second equal clamping rod is chosen and placed along the opposite longitudinal edge of said text line in a second groove of said assembling board,

said two grooves having such a depth that a longitudinal clamping gap of each clamping rod is aligned with the adjacent edge of said text line formed by said letter cards and the width of said planar surface between said first and said second groove being less than the height of said letter cards minus twice the depth of said clamping grooves.

that said first clamping rod is maintained stationary and said second clamping rod is displaced towards said first clamping rod while maintaining the parallel relation thereof, whereby said letter cards are inserted in said clamping gaps and retained therein,

and that said clamping rods together with said letter cards are lifted from said assembling board.

15. A method to assemble a text sign, containing at least two text lines, especially shop signs for temporary use, by which letter cards, corresponding to the desired text, are chosen from a set of letter cards and are arranged in a frame device for exhibition in substantially vertical position, characterized in that the letter cards chosen for the top or bottom line of said text sign are placed in proper order to form the desired text and in juxtaposed position on a planar surface on an assembling board with one longitudinal edge of said text line resting on said surface, that a first clamping rod of a length appropriate for the text line is chosen from a set of such clamping rods and is placed along above mentioned longitudinal edge of the text line in a first groove of said assembling board,

that a second equal clamping rod is chosen and placed along the opposite longitudinal edge of said text line in a second groove of said assembling board,

said two grooves having such a depth that a longitudinal clamping gap of each clamping rod is aligned with the adjacent edge of said text line formed by said letter cards and the width of said planar surface between said first and said second groove being less than the height of the said letter cards minus twice the depth of said clamping grooves,

that said first clamping rod is maintained stationary and said second clamping rod is displaced towards said first clamping rod while maintaining the parallel relation thereof, whereby said letter cards are inserted in said clamping gaps and retained therein,

that the unit formed by said first and second clamping rods and said intermediate letter cards is lifted from said assembling board and replaced thereon with said second clamping bar in said first groove, and

that the above procedure is repeated for each successive text line. 

1. A building set for assembly of a tExt sign, containing at least one text line, such as a shop sign for temporary use, comprising, in combination, a number of letter cards of uniform height and thickness, said number being sufficient to form a desired text; a number of elongated clamping rods of a length at least sufficient to frame each text line along at least the longitudinal edges thereof; each said clamping rod in cross section being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane, each said clamping rod, as seen in said symmetrical crosssection, comprising a web extending in said symmetry plane, first rigid legs protruding oppositely and perpendicularly from said web at one edge thereof and integral therewith, second elastic legs connected to the other edge of said web and respectively converging towards said first legs for defining a pair of clampimg gaps between the outer edges of said first and second legs of less width than the thickness of said letter cards, the web, on each side thereof, furthermore being provided with a longitudinal flange in a plane perpendicular to said symmetry plane and spaced from the adjacent one of said first legs at a distance sufficient to accommodate one edge of each letter card in a frictional gripping relation, each letter card also being elastically retained between the cooperating pair of rigid and elastic legs.
 2. A building set, as claimed in claim 1, in which each letter card is a rectangular planar card having indicia on at least one surface thereof.
 3. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ends of certain said clamping rods are formed by end surfaces converging towards said ends at 45* to the length of said certain rods for forming a mitre joint with a similar end of a second of said certain clamping rods; the two clamping rods forming the mitre joint framing a pair of mutually perpendicular sides of a respective text line.
 4. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said clamping rods include first clamping rods having each end formed by two end surfaces extending at 45* to the length of said rods and converging towards said end and intersecting each other in the symmetry plane of said first clamping rods; said ends forming mitre joints with the adjacent ends of two second clamping rods longitudinally aligned with each other; each of said second clamping rods having their adjacent ends defined by two end surfaces converging towards their said ends and intersecting each other in the symmetry plane of said second rods, with one end surface extending at 45* and the other at 90* to the length of said second clamping rods; said first clamping rods separating two consecutive text lines of a text sign and said second clamping rods framing said text lines along edges thereof at right angles to said first clamping rods.
 5. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including a locking member comprising a first leg and a second leg integral therewith and extending at right angles thereto, each of said locking member legs having a cross-section of a form and size to be accommodated and frictionally retained in the space of a clamping rod, defined by the web, one of said second elastic legs and one of said flanges thereof, said locking member legs being insertable in said spaces of two clamping rods meeting at right angles to each other.
 6. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of said second legs is rigid in itself and connected to said second edge of said web through elastically deformable connecting means.
 7. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer edges of said first and second legs are bent away from each other to form converging entrances to said clamping gaps.
 8. A building set as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that one of the locking member legs is secured in said space of a clamping rod framing a vertical text line side.
 9. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including a suspension member of rectangular, disc-like form provided with a bead along one shorter edge thereof, the disc-formed portion of said member being thinner than and the bead thereof being thicker than the width of said clamping gaps, the member furthermore comprising a central opening and a hook-formed tongue at the opposite shorter edge, said member being insertable from one end of a clamping rod with the disc-like portion in one clamping gap thereof and the bead inside of same, whereafter a text sign, the top edge of which is provided by said clamping rod, can be supported in a rigid member engaged at the central opening of said suspension member.
 10. A building set as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said hook-like tongue is formed for engagement with the central opening of a similar suspension member to facilitate suspension of one text sign in the bottom clamping rod of another text sign.
 11. A building set as claimed in claim 1, including suspension means comprising a rectangular bar, at least one side surface thereof being provided with grooves along two opposite edges of the bar, said grooves being mutually parallel and spaced apart slidably to accomodate the bent-out edges of said first legs of a clamping rod.
 12. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said suspension means is provided with said grooves on two opposite side surfaces and is insertable between two clamping rods arranged back against back, while the bent-out edges of the first legs of said clamping rods are slidably accomodated in said grooves, thereby connecting said clamping rods and thus text signs formed therewith.
 13. A building set as claimed in claim 12, including a bracket, characterized in that the end of said bar is releasably mountable in said bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to a support surface.
 14. A method to assemble a text sign containing one text line, especially shop signs for temporary use, by which letter cards corresponding to the desired text are chosen from a set of letter cards and are arranged in a frame device for exhibition in substantially vertical position, characterized in that said chosen letter cards in proper order to form the desired text are placed in juxtaposed position on a planar surface of an assembling board with one longitudinal edge of said text line resting on said surface, that a first clamping rod of a length appropriate for the text line is chosen from a set of such clamping rods and is placed along abovementioned longitudinal edge of the text line in a first groove of said assembling board, that a second equal clamping rod is chosen and placed along the opposite longitudinal edge of said text line in a second groove of said assembling board, said two grooves having such a depth that a longitudinal clamping gap of each clamping rod is aligned with the adjacent edge of said text line formed by said letter cards and the width of said planar surface between said first and said second groove being less than the height of said letter cards minus twice the depth of said clamping grooves. that said first clamping rod is maintained stationary and said second clamping rod is displaced towards said first clamping rod while maintaining the parallel relation thereof, whereby said letter cards are inserted in said clamping gaps and retained therein, and that said clamping rods together with said letter cards are lifted from said assembling board.
 15. A method to assemble a text sign, containing at least two text lines, especially shop signs for temporary use, by which letter cards, corresponding to the desired text, are chosen from a set of letter cards and are arranged in a frame device for exhibition in substantially vertical position, characterized in that the letter cards chosen for the top or bottom line of said text sign are placed in proper order to form the desired text and in juxtaposed position on a planar surface on an assembling board with one longitudinal edge of said text line resting on sAid surface, that a first clamping rod of a length appropriate for the text line is chosen from a set of such clamping rods and is placed along above mentioned longitudinal edge of the text line in a first groove of said assembling board, that a second equal clamping rod is chosen and placed along the opposite longitudinal edge of said text line in a second groove of said assembling board, said two grooves having such a depth that a longitudinal clamping gap of each clamping rod is aligned with the adjacent edge of said text line formed by said letter cards and the width of said planar surface between said first and said second groove being less than the height of the said letter cards minus twice the depth of said clamping grooves, that said first clamping rod is maintained stationary and said second clamping rod is displaced towards said first clamping rod while maintaining the parallel relation thereof, whereby said letter cards are inserted in said clamping gaps and retained therein, that the unit formed by said first and second clamping rods and said intermediate letter cards is lifted from said assembling board and replaced thereon with said second clamping bar in said first groove, and that the above procedure is repeated for each successive text line. 